Su Zhan's arrival on the West Coast island was marked by a rush of wind and a faint shimmer of green light as he descended from the sky. The sun was setting, casting long golden rays across the landscape and illuminating the organized chaos below. Construction crews bustled everywhere, heavy machinery rumbled, and the air was filled with the sounds of progress. Blink was at the heart of it all, her powers making the impossible seem routine as she opened portals for workers and supplies, shaving hours off every task.
He landed near the main construction site, his presence drawing immediate attention. Blink, her face flushed and a sheen of sweat on her brow, was the first to greet him. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand but smiled with genuine warmth.
"Boss, you're here!" She called out, her voice a mix of relief and pride.
Su Zhan offered her a look of concern, his tone gentle. "Don't push yourself too hard, Blink. You're doing more than enough."
Blink shook her head, her breath steady despite the exertion. "It's nothing. This is actually good training for me, and it keeps things moving fast. I can handle it."
He smiled, appreciating her determination and resilience. Blink was usually quiet and reserved, but he knew she was fiercely persistent, someone who never backed down from a challenge. "How's everything going?" he asked, letting his gaze sweep over the construction site.
Blink considered for a moment before answering. "If things keep going smoothly, we should be finished in about half a year."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow. Half a year was a long time, but considering that most of the heavy lifting was being done by just three people—Blink, Chan Ho Yin, and Marrow—it was understandable. Still, he wondered if there was a way to speed things up or if he should stay and help for a while.
As he pondered, Blink's eyes suddenly sharpened. "Boss, someone's coming."
He followed her gaze and saw a streak of red and gold approaching fast, growing larger by the second. Within moments, the unmistakable silhouette of Iron Man hovered above the island. The suit's landing was a little awkward, not quite as smooth as Tony Stark's usual style.
Su Zhan leaned toward Blink, muttering with a teasing grin, "You'd think Stark would have figured out by now that the Dark Elf tech isn't so easy to crack."
Blink nodded, already opening a portal near the ship, ready to intercept any unexpected visitors.
Iron Man touched down with a slight wobble, and as the helmet hissed open, Su Zhan was surprised to see not Tony Stark but Pepper Potts step out. She looked a little uncertain in the suit but managed a graceful exit.
"Pepper?" Su Zhan blinked, caught off guard. "Sorry, I thought you were Tony."
Pepper smiled, brushing off his concern. "No worries. I get that a lot."
He studied her for a moment, then asked, "So, are you here looking for me?"
She nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes. I heard you were here and wanted to come personally. Tony's been thinking about your spaceship, but I'm here for myself. This isn't about Stark Industries or the Avengers—I'm here as me."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow, half-joking, "Not afraid Tony will get jealous?"
Pepper's smile faded, replaced by a seriousness Su Zhan hadn't expected. "Mr. Su Zhan, I think you may have misunderstood my relationship with Tony. I'm his assistant, not his girlfriend. We've known each other for years, and we're friends, but it's strictly professional. Actually, I've been thinking about moving on, but that's not why I'm here. I came to thank you."
Su Zhan was caught off guard. "Thank me? For what? The Extremis virus?"
She nodded. "Yes. What you did saved my life. I know you said you were after the virus for your own reasons, but for me, it was a miracle. I had to come and thank you in person."
He smiled, a little embarrassed. "You don't have to thank me. I told you I was just after the virus. I never expected you to remember, let alone come all this way."
Pepper shook her head, her gratitude unwavering. "For me, it was a matter of life and death. I can't just let that go."
She hesitated, glancing down at her hands. "I just… I'm not sure how to repay you for saving my life."
Su Zhan chuckled, breaking the tension with a joke. "Well, it's not like you can pay me back with your body, right?"
Pepper looked momentarily startled, then laughed, shaking her head. "Of course not."
He grinned, his tone softening. "I'm kidding. But if you really want to thank me, maybe you can help me out with something."
She looked up, eager to help. "Anything. Just say the word."
"Tony has a lot of Iron Man suits, and I know he can control them remotely. As you can see, we're building something big here, but we're short on manpower. If you could convince Tony to lend us a few suits to help with construction, it would make a huge difference."
Pepper nodded immediately. "I'll talk to him. I'm sure he'll help. And if he doesn't, I'll find another way."
Su Zhan smiled, genuinely grateful. "Thank you, Pepper. If it doesn't work out, don't worry—I'll figure something else out."
She glanced back at the Iron Man suit, then looked at him with a playful smile. "Wait here—I'll go talk to Tony right now."
She climbed back into the suit, sealed the helmet, and took off with a burst of repulsor energy. The takeoff was a little rough, sending up a cloud of dust and sand. Su Zhan raised an energy shield to block the debris, watching as she disappeared into the sky.
When the dust settled, he shook his head with a wry smile. "It doesn't matter if it's a car or an Iron Man suit—female drivers are always a little scary."
He turned back to the construction site, feeling a renewed sense of optimism. With Pepper's help—and maybe Tony's suits—the island base would be finished in no time. For now, he could focus on what mattered most: building a future for his team, and maybe, just maybe, making a few more friends along the way.
As night fell, the island quieted, the hum of machinery fading into the gentle rhythm of the waves. Su Zhan lingered by the shore, gazing out at the horizon, the promise of new beginnings shining in the distance. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace—and the certainty that whatever challenges came next, he and his team would face them together.